This one is no secret, but many people don’t know about it. the Vaticam Museums, the most important museum in Rome and home of at least one absolute masterpice of our entire civilization (the Sixtine Chapel) can be visited for free the last sunday of every month.

Here you can check the official calendar; the days marked  green are for free. Note that on those days the museum is open from 9.00 AM until 14.00 PM with the entrance closing at 12.30.Sure, the queue tends to get kilometric but, hey: it’s part of the adventure. And if you want to have the ultimate catholic art experience you can attend the public blessing the pope gives (for free! that’s the key word here) every Sunday at noon at Saint Peter’s Square. And then you can visit San Peter’s Basilica (do I have to mention you don’t have to pay to get in?).

For those not lucky enough to be in Rome the last sunday of the month, or just not willing to wait to get in, my advice is to book your entrance in advance through the official website of the Vatican.You will pay an extra fee, but it will save you lots of time.

There you go: an incredible day at zero cost.
And again, if you need info for accomodation in Rome or anywhere else in Italy, contact our booking office. Or, if you only want to tell me about your catholic-action packed day, drop me a line.

Enjoy yourselves!

Our blogger today: Raul

First on my list (let’s see what Liam comes up with!) is the church of San Luigi dei Francesi, located near the Pantheon.
From the outside the church looks pretty much like any other church in Rome; you might not imagine that inside you can find an artistic treasure many museums would kill to have, and here it’s available for free: all you have to do it’s walk in!

Inside the church you will find many chapels with religious works of art that, of course, are great but in the end they all almost blur in your mind. That is, until you get to see the Caravaggios. Even if you don’t know anything about art, and just happen to stumble upon the curch by sheer luck you will immediatly be able to tell that here we are dealing not only with an artisan, but with a master and a visionary.

Caravaggio’s works (there are three of them at San Luigi) are vibrant, human and stunning, unlike other religious works of art you will find inside most churches in Rome. I can assure you the passion and strenght that comes off them will become one of your most treasured art memories- and you will get it for free!

You can learn more about Caravaggio and his troubled life on Wikipedia – where else? ; )  To get to San Luigi dei Francesi you can take the bus 40 from Termini. Get off at Largo Argentina and the follow this map we have dutifully put together for your walking pleasure.

If you need accomodation in the city don’t hesitate to write us or visit our website. And while you’re on the internets why don’t you drop me a line to tell me about your Caravaggio experience? It’ll be great to hear from you.

Have a great time!

Our blogger today: Raul

This garden is the perfect place to unwind after a day spent visiting the city, but also the place where you will see a door that hides the Piazza of the Knights of Malta, closed to the public, but you can see peering out of the lock …

Rome we know more or less. But not everyone knows that in addition to St. Peter, Coliseum, Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza Navona and other famous monuments there are lesser-known small and great wonders that deserve our attention in the same way. Some tips to follow to not lose all that Rome did not want to, hide in the shadow of the greatest works

The Delicious square eighteenth century, the fence and the entrance to the villa of the Priory of Malta are the work of Giambattista Pirenesi, who also found the original of the keyhole of the door, through which, with a view to a tunnel formed by avenue of trees specially cut, you see the dome of St. Peter (beautiful view at night, when, on festive occasions, the giant dome is lit).

After a walk to the ‘Parco degli Aranci’ – the romantic garden in winter and summer – we suggest you peep this view at sunset, when the first light of evening light in color and brightness of the Roman countryside. So is the Parco degli Aranci that before you put the lock of the door of access to what is known as ‘Villa of the Priory of Malta’. ….. you’ll see something really nice! And not to forget!

This important building is the historic seat of the Grand Priory of Rome of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Has the right of extraterritoriality in 1869. It houses the embassies of the order, and to the Holy See and to the Italian. Inside the beautiful, lush garden is the Church of Santa Maria del Priorat, called ‘Santa Maria Aventina’, which was renovated by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1765 rearranged the main entrance of the Palace.

The view from this oasis of peace, unknown to many tourists, is wonderful and the pictures may not match reality.

It has a wide view, which stands er dome of St. Peter’s and other architectural wonders of Rome

Entertainment guaranteed.

If you stay with us at the Hotel des Artistes you can reach  this wonderful place in just 20 min!

Our blogger: Rhodora

Don’t forget: your best options to enjoy all the history and magic of the Eternal City are Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel!

Well, these days are strange in Rome. With so many cancelled flights due to the cloud of volcanic ashes hanging over Europe, not everyone is paying attention to one of the most interesting cultural campaingns to take place each year in Italy: the Culture Week.

Like every year this 2010 many interesting activities will take place and besides many of the most famous monuments in Rome can be visited for free! Yes, from April 16 to 25 you will be able to visit the Roman Forum, the CoIosseum and many other great monuments for free, or almost: by instance, to visit the Capitoline museums you would pay only 4,50 Euros, since there is an additional axhibition taking place right now.

We have selected for you some of the most interesting options when it comes to activities. You will find our picks at the bottom of this page.

And don’t forget: your best options for accomodation in Rome are Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel. Contact us today, or make a reservation through our website!

Once upon a time, Italy was ruled by kings. They all belonged to the Savoy (Savoia) dynasty, the only one to have reigned in most of the country. The Savoy’s raise to power was a peaceful one, not achieved through wars or military conquests, but through marriages and a shrewd use of diplomatic relations.

Fascism brought bad news for many, the Savoy among them. The king didn’t know how to deal properly with Mussolini and backed him, thinking the fascist party was a more reassuring option than socialism. After the end of the war the Italians were called to vote to decide whether they wanted to live under a monarchy or a republic. The republican government won 54 percent against 46, and that was the curtain call for the legendary dynasty.

After this, all the male descendants of the Savoy were forbidden to enter Italy and they lived in exile in Switzerland until 2002, when the Italians decided they could come back to their country.

The Italian media created a fuzz over the real family come-back, even though the Savoy didn’t seem to be very grateful: they tried to get a compensation for moral damage from the Italian government, along with some historical buildings like the Quirinale Palace, currently the official residence of the president of the Italian Republic.

The claim didn’t succeed, and afterwards the behaviour of the family hasn’t been exactly flattering: in 2006 the prince Vittorio Emanuele was involved in a public scandal that had him recruiting prostitutes for a casino and his son’s last public appearance was as a participant in a “dance with the stars” show.

For a chance to take a look at the Savoia, come to Rome and don’t forget to make a reservation at Hotel Des Artistes!

A couple of weeks ago, a client came to the reception desk asking for directions to Via Varese. This street is just two blocks from us.

Suddenly, I began to remember good memories from my childhood. My heroes and friends from that time came back to me in a flash of lively thought…
Like in the happiest party one could stage, all of them arrived at once. Just in time…          

So I welcomed Tweety, Sylvester, Duffy Duck, Speedy Gonzalez (who obviously arrived before the others) and the INEVITABLE Bugs bunny and his kind of friend, mean Mister Yosemite Sam.

The client I mentioned before was about to go to the Warner Brothers Office in Rome, located in Via Varese 16/B.

The Warner Bros company was founded in 1923 by brothers Harry (President), Albert, Sam and Jack.

In 1926, the studio produced the first film (Don Juan) by Alan Crosland. In 1927 came The Jazz Singer, by Crosland still with Al Jolson, which contains a sound sequence. This new technology enabled Warner to obtain a special Oscar award for their important contribution to the development of cinema. The following year, the first film ever was entirely spoken.
In the thirties they offered a successful series of gangster films like Public Enemy, Little Caesar, and High Sierra

with Humphrey Bogart. In addition they produced musical films in this period. In 1933, two of the most important musicals of the decade,42nd Street and Gold Diggers of 1933…
Starting from the thirties, Warner Bros. began, however, to produce the successful series of Looney Tunes cartoons, headed by some of the famous characters referred to earlier…

During World War II the film that became legend was made, Casablanca, 1942 by Michael Curtiz, with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
In the fifties, A star is born, 1954 and the mythic James Dean’s Rebel without a cause, 1955.
The seventies must be remembered for: All the President’s men, 1976 by Alan J. Pakula and all the films of Stanley Kubrick, from Orange mechanics (A clockwork orange, 1971) onwards. International films today certainly have Warner Brothers to thank for the development of film.
Think of The Matrix, Harry Potter…The work of this legendary company has not only a remarkable importance money wise but also sentimentally, in the way it connects us with its characters. It is certainly not easy to sum up this mix of work, success and wonderful emotions.

Today, Warner, which now is part of the publishing group headed by the famous Time Magazine, has specialized in television production (WB Television).
And so… For my known or yet unknown friends who are reading this and are thinking about coming to this beautiful city I just wanted to tell you about this piece of life that is very near, not around the corner, but only two blocks away…from our hotel. So why not come to stay with us at Yes Hotel, near Termini Station, for the perfect getaway treat.

Please note: The Warner Bros office in Rome is not available for tourist visits.

After a small break, I came back with the stories about the Capitol Hill of Rome.

I hope you will not be annoyed with my historical outline, but will learn something new and next time you come to Rome you will surprise you friends with your knowledge.

So let us start…

In Rome there are many legends of the glorious past of its ancient empire. One of these concerns Castor and Pollux.

The introduction of the cult of Dioscuri, or Castori, is closely linked to a specific episode: the battle at the lake Regillo that saw the Romans opposed to Latins.

The Latins were allies of the Tarquinio Superbo, seventh and the last king of Rome. He was the dynasty of Etruscan Tarquini and he reigned from 535 a. C. to 510 a.C., when he was banned from Rome. It was an important date in Rome, because with the Tarquinio Superbo ending the Etruscan hegemony on the city of Rome, which began with the reign of Tarquinio Prisco. After the last king, Rome became free and the Repubblic was founded.

The battle of Lake Regillo is one of the first legendary Roman victories. Legendary because we don’t have precise references (documents seems to have been lost in the fire following the invasion of the Brenno’s Gauls). Legendary also because it says that the outcome of the battle, initially unfavourable to the warriors of Rome, has been decided by the appareance of mythological Dioscuri: Castor and Pollux.

Tarquino, already chased away from Rome, attempted to regain power.

The Roman dictator Aulus Postumia Albino, departed from Rome with large forces of infantry and cavalry and met the enemy army at Lake Regillo, in the territory of Tuscolo. After a first phase with uncertain outcome, the battle was about to turn in favour of Latin ranks when Aulus Postumia prayed Jupiter that granted his victory’s wish. In the clamor of battle, two mysterious knight appeared between the forces in the field, and they led the Roman armies to victory. Leaving the battlefield, the two young appeared again inside the walls of Rome and they announced the successful victory over the Latins at the citizenship, and then they would be disappeared into the air(I talk about this another day*).

There are different statues of Dioscuri that can be admired even today in Rome, for example, on the Quirinale hill and on the balustrade of the piazza del Campidoglio. Here, at the top of the stairs, there are the colossal groups of the Dioscuri, Castor from one side, and Pollux from the other side.

The legend of Dioscuri is the introduction of a greek myth in Roman tradition. In fact, Castor and Pollux, in Greeks centres of southern Italy, were considered the “Numi Tutelari” of chivalry, which was established exclusively by characters in the aristocracy. The recruitment in Rome of a cult of aristocracy could mean the need for a strengthening of political power by the classes of “Romans gentilizi”, at a time when the transition from monarchy to republican institutions could involve strong social tensions.

From the mythological’s side, more simply, the Dioscuri represent the will of the gods of the birth of a Roman empire free from foreign yoke, as will by that time.

Our historical adventure, of course, does not end here, and I heartly welcome you to visit Rome and enjoy all these treasure by yourselves. My suggestion is to stay in bugdet and cosy hotel Nice Hotel and enjoy history in its relaxing atmosphere.

The Capitoline hill is the smallest of the famous seven hills of Rome, but also the most important because the first nucleus of the city was born here. Initially it was enclosed by a system of defensive walls to protect the inhabitants from hostile tribes who lived in surrounding areas.
The Colle del Campidoglio, the way it is called in Italian, has been since ancient times an important place for the life of the city, first as a religious centre, following as a place of power when it arranged the Senate in Rome.
The hill overlooking the Roman Forum, and several temples were built here, for this was considered the most sacred places of Ancient Rome.
But it was during the Republican age that the importance of the Capitoline grew and became the place of power in the city.

The Capitoline Hill is the basic

Capitol Hill, Rome

nucleus of Roman life for thousand of years. The Capitoline once were sacred to the Romans and the destination of the triumphal processions of victorious generals.

In medieval times the Capitoline was neglected, after numerous fires. Major reconstruction work were made by the Emperor Domitian, in 81 A.C. But then the hill was gradually abandoned after the fall of and subsequent destruction of temples of ancient Rome.
Later it was called Monte Caprino, because reduced pasture for goats.

The Palazzo Senatorio was built for the first time in the twelfth century on the ruins of the Tabularium, the archive status of ancient Rome. This was located at one end of the Forum and was re-used as a deposit first, then as a prison.

Today the Capitoline is the headquarters of the Mayor and Municipality of Rome. And it hosts one of the most important museums of Rome-

the Capitoline Museums.

oday the main attraction is the Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo as from about 1537. The square is facing S. Peter, with pavement design and the centrifugal center equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.

The Capitoline Hill is reached by the grand flight of steps known as the “Cordonata”, built to a design by Michelangelo Buonarroti, commissioned by Pope Paul III.

The cordonata was a place of transit of men and knights, for this is so large.
Its form is to gather downwards.

The "cordonata capitolina" connects today Piazza del Campidoglio with the underlying square of Aracoeli.
The cordonata is that road slope formed by large elements in stone or brick (here the name) that make it similar to a staircase.

The Square of Campidoglio hosts a lot of intersting events, so, if you happen to be in Rome, book a nice stay with a bunch of special offers in Lucci Hotel and just walk for half an hour and enjoy the greatest cordonata and special concerts!!!

Where is the United Nations FAO in Rome located ? standing in front of the Circus Maximus and remembering Charlton Heston in Ben Hur, you feel little disappointed about seeing no more than a spot of fresh green grass.

So you run away towards south and is it you see? A huge complex dedicated completely to leisure. Well, that is, used to leisure during the Roman Empire. Much more than a series of baths with a fridarium (cold room), tepidarium (medium) and caldarium (hot room) and palaestras (gyms where boxing and wrestling was practiced), the north part holds a natatio or swimming pool.

You feel sorry about the fact that we are talking about Caracalla Baths which are no longer operating (but it was till the 19^th century).Roman people certainly knew how to entertain and have fun , they had an exedrae on the east and west sides of the complex were libraries were located, and entire section for shops. The heating system was based on a hypocaust, burning coal and wood underneath the ground, it use to be the cause of some pollution problems even at that time.

The admission fee is 6 euros, does not apply to students of pensioners of U.E On summer the Rome opera season is held here also, it is quite a backdrop for that.

Not far from there you find the huge building of the FAO.

What’s that?

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, first session in 1945 Quebec, headquarters in Rome since 1951.

The aim of this organization is to defeat hunger, working both developed and developing countries, in order to improve and modernize agriculture, forestry, fisheries and ensure good nutrition for everybody.

How do they work?

FAO helps people and nations help themselves. So if a community wants to increase crop yields but does not have the technical skills, they provide tools and techniques. If a country goes from state to private land ownership, they give legal advice. Whenever a drought pushes already vulnerable groups to the point of famine, they go into action. The FAO provide a neutral meeting place and the background knowledge needed to reach an agreement.

Who is doing the job?

The Conference of Member Nations meets every two years to review the work carried out by the Organization and approve a Programme of Work and Budget for the next couple of years. The Conference selects council of 49 Member Nations. The members serve a three year term. Also a Director-General is elected, the current Director-General is Jacques Diouf of Senegal, re-elected two times and in charge since 1994.

The organization is composed of the following departments: Agriculture and Consumer Protection; Economic and Social Development; Fisheries and Aquaculture; Forestry; Human, Financial and Physical Resources; Knowledge and Communication; Natural Resources Management and Environment and Technical Cooperation.

FAO employs more than 3 600 staff members – around 1600 professional and 2 000 general service staff –five regional offices, nine sub-regional offices, five liaison offices and 74 fully-fledged country offices (excluding those hosted in Regional and Sub-regional Offices), and of course its headquarters in Rome.

Where are the other delegations?

The decentralized offices are located in:

• Regional Offices for Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Near East and Europe
• Sub-regional Offices for Central Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Africa, Eastern Africa, North Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands
• Liaison Offices in Geneva, Washington D.C., New York, Brussels and Yokohama; and
• 78 Country Representatives.

Did you know that another United Nations Organization has offices in Rome  ? It  is the Unicef, which is right in the centre of Rome too, near our Hotels in Rome.